Tyla’s “Water” Dance: From Bacardi roots to the concert stage

The Tyla Water dance gives an already recognisable song a visual identity of its own: rhythmic movement, a confident performance, and the memorable gesture of pouring water down her back. As Tyla once explained, a video of that onstage moment helped the routine spread internationally. Behind the viral clips lies a story of South African dance culture, a creative decision made in rehearsals, and choreography that became closely associated with Tyla’s breakthrough.

What is the Tyla Water Dance?

The Tyla Water choreography combines hip movements and leg kicks with its distinctive water-pouring gesture. These recognisable moves gave viewers a routine to recreate rather than simply a chorus to sing.

Pouring water down her back catches the audience’s attention and connects the routine to the song’s title. But the dance is about more than that moment: Tyla moves with the beat, making each step flow naturally into the next. The combination of the music, her movements, and the water-pouring gesture makes the performance memorable.

The Tyla Water dance combines hip movements and leg kicks with water-pouring gesture.

The South African Bacardi roots behind the dance

What audiences often call the Tyla Bacardi dance draws on an existing South African style, not a dance form invented solely for Water. Speaking backstage at the 2024 Grammy Awards, Tyla explained that Bacardi comes from South Africa and challenged the tendency to describe it simply as twerking. She wanted to bring that style into the song, rather than present the movement as something disconnected from its origins.

Her explanation also helps clarify why copying the visible steps is only part of the challenge. In an interview, Tyla emphasised that South African dance involves attitude and personal expression, not just a sequence of movements. That is an important distinction: the routine’s identity comes as much from how it is performed as from which steps appear in it.

How Tyla and Litchi created the Water choreography

South African choreographer Lee-ché “Litchi” Janecke created the routine, while Tyla’s account of rehearsals explains how the idea developed. She had originally been using Bacardi for another song. During rehearsals for Water, she suggested trying the style with the new track, and her choreographer developed the dance around that decision.

That rehearsal story is more interesting than the idea of a routine designed only to become a social-media trend. It shows a creative team testing what felt right for the music. Tyla Water choreography became distinctive through that adaptation: a particular arrangement of movement for a particular song, without erasing the dance tradition behind it.

From viral challenge to Tyla’s signature live moment

The Water dance challenge gained momentum in August 2023 through Tyla’s social-media clips and onstage performances. Those videos encouraged fans to try the routine themselves, taking it beyond its original performance setting.

The song also reached a wider television audience. During her October 2023 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Tyla performed Water alongside dancers, presenting the track as a staged musical performance rather than a short challenge clip. It was a clear example of how the choreography could sit within a fuller presentation of her vocals, movement, and stage presence.

For the Tyla concert experience, the attraction is that shift from recognition to anticipation. A viewer watching a short clip can replay the familiar movement immediately; a live audience experiences it as the song builds and the crowd responds. The routine offers a memorable point of connection, although the exact choreography, staging, and use of water should not be assumed to be identical at every performance.

Tyla presented Water as a staged musical performance rather than a short challenge clip.

Experience Tyla World Tour live with MA Hospitality Group

Seeing the music and movement together offers a different perspective from watching a viral clip. The choreography becomes part of a complete performance, with the surrounding songs, dancers, and audience giving the moment its atmosphere.

For guests exploring the Tyla World Tour, MA Hospitality Group can assist with premium ticket and exclusive hospitality enquiries for selected performances, alongside luxury accommodation, private transfers, dining reservations, and personalised concierge support.

Don’t just watch the Tyla Water dance on repeat, feel the energy live! Get in touch with us to plan your premium Tyla concert experience.